Sensors Command in Linux
The sensors command is a powerful tool used in Linux to monitor various hardware components' vital statistics. It provides detailed information about system temperatures, coolers, battery status, and other sensor data available through the machine's hardware monitoring chips. This command is often used in combination with system utilities to maintain the health and efficiency of your computer by keeping tabs on your device's internal environment.
Table of Contents
Here is a comprehensive guide to the options available with the semanage command â
- Understanding Sensors Command
- Key Commands and Their Descriptions
- How to Use Sensors Command in Linux?
- Advanced Usage of sensors Command in Linux
- Troubleshooting Tips of sensors Command in Linux
- Understanding Sensor Data in Linux
Understanding Sensors Command
The sensors command in Linux, provided by the lm-sensors package, is a powerful tool for monitoring hardware health. It displays real-time readings from various sensors on your system, including −
- Temperature − CPU, motherboard, and other component temperatures.
- Voltage − Voltage levels supplied to different components.
- Fan Speed − Rotational speed of cooling fans.
Essentially, it allows you to keep an eye on critical hardware metrics, helping you identify potential overheating or other hardware issues. To use it, you will often need to first install the lm-sensors package and run the sensors-detect command to configure the sensors that are on your system.
The basic syntax for the sensors command is as follows −
sensors [options]
The command can be executed with various options to display specific sensor data.
Key Commands and Their Descriptions
sensors
This command displays the current readings of all sensor chips on the system.
Example −
sudo apt install lm-sensors
It provides a comprehensive snapshot of all sensor readings, including CPU temperature, motherboard temperature, fan speeds, and voltages.
Example −
sensors
sensors --fahrenheit
This option converts temperature readings from Celsius to Fahrenheit. It is useful for users in regions where the Fahrenheit scale is more culturally prevalent.
Example −
sensors --fahrenheit
How to Use Sensors Command in Linux?
Let's explore some practical examples to demonstrate the use of the sensors command in different scenarios.
Displaying Current Sensor Readings
To display the current readings of all sensor chips, use the sensors command without any additional arguments.
Example −
sensors
In this example, the command displays the current temperatures of various components, such as the CPU cores and the motherboard -
Displaying Temperatures in Fahrenheit
To display temperatures in Fahrenheit, use the --fahrenheit option with the sensors command.
Example −
sensors --fahrenheit
In this example, the command converts the temperature readings from Celsius to Fahrenheit -
Advanced Usage of sensors Command in Linux
For advanced users, the sensors command can be used in conjunction with other tools and scripts to automate hardware monitoring tasks and integrate with system administration processes.
Automating Hardware Monitoring
You can create scripts to automate the process of monitoring hardware components and logging sensor data.
Example Script −
#!/bin/bash
# Log sensor data to a file
sensors > /var/log/sensor_data.log
# Send an alert if CPU temperature exceeds a threshold
cpu_temp=$(sensors | grep "Core 0" | awk '{print $2}' | cut -d'°' -f1)
if [ "$cpu_temp" -gt 70 ]; then
echo "CPU temperature is too high: $cpu_temp°C" | mail -s "High CPU Temperature Alert" admin@example.com
fi
Save this script as monitor_sensors.sh and make it executable −
chmod +x monitor_sensors.sh
You can then run the script to automate hardware monitoring tasks −
./monitor_sensors.sh
Troubleshooting Tips of sensors Command in Linux
If you encounter issues while using the sensors command, consider the following troubleshooting tips −
Verify Sensor Configuration
Ensure that the lm-sensors package is installed and properly configured on your system. You can install it using the package manager specific to your Linux distribution.
Example for Debian/Ubuntu −
sudo apt-get install lm-sensors
Example for CentOS/RHEL −
sudo yum install lm-sensors
Check Sensor Logs
Check the sensor logs for any error messages or warnings related to the sensors command and hardware monitoring. The logs can provide valuable information for diagnosing and resolving issues.
Example −
tail -f /var/log/sensor_data.log
Review Sensor Configuration Files
Review the sensor configuration files to ensure that they are correctly set up and that the necessary permissions are granted.
Example −
cat /etc/sensors.d/*
Understanding Sensor Data in Linux
To effectively use the sensors command, it is important to understand the basic concepts of hardware monitoring and sensor data.
Sensor Types
Different types of sensors provide various types of data, such as temperature, voltage, fan speed, and battery status. Understanding the type of data provided by each sensor helps in interpreting the sensor readings accurately.
Sensor Units
Sensor data is typically provided in specific units, such as degrees Celsius for temperature and volts for voltage. Familiarize yourself with the units used by different sensors to interpret the data correctly.
Sensor Thresholds
Sensors often have predefined thresholds for critical and high values. These thresholds help in identifying potential issues and taking appropriate actions to prevent hardware damage.
Monitoring System Health
The sensors command can be used to monitor the health of your system by regularly checking the temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds. This helps in identifying potential issues and taking preventive measures.
Performance Tuning
For users engaged in performance tuning or overclocking, the sensors command provides valuable data on system temperatures and fan speeds. This information helps in optimizing system performance while ensuring that the hardware remains within safe operating limits.
System Administration
System administrators can use the sensors command to monitor the health of servers and workstations. Regular monitoring helps in identifying potential hardware failures and taking proactive measures to prevent downtime.
Conclusion
The sensors command is a versatile tool for monitoring hardware components' vital statistics in Linux. By understanding its various options and practical use cases, users can effectively maintain the health and efficiency of their systems.
Whether you are a system administrator, performance tuner, or just a curious user, the sensors command provides valuable insights into your system's internal environment.